Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship Outreach

‌The Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship Outreach serves to create a strong relationship between Drake University and the entrepreneurial community in Greater Des Moines. Through programs and events‌ including business plan competitions, entrepreneurs expand their possibilities and Drake students gain opportunities for hands-on experiences with small business owners.

John Pappajohn and his wife, Mary, provided a generous gift to create the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship Outreach at Drake in 1998. John Pappajohn is known worldwide as an entrepreneur and venture capitalist. He started his first business, an insurance agency, in 1952. He has been involved in more than 100 startups and more than 50 initial public offerings, and has served as a director in 40+ public companies.

In September 2016, the five Pappajohn Centers invited entrepreneurs and dignitaries to join us in celebrate thing 20th anniversary of our founding. Read about John Pappajohn's contributions to entrepreneurship in Iowa here .

For more information about how we can help, contact the Entrepreneurship Centers at jpec@drake.edu.

Staff from the five Pappjohn Centers with Mr. Pappjohn at EntreFEST 2015. Photo credit: EntreFEST‌

Students in the Drake University College of Business and Public Administration had the opportunity to learn from Drake alumni and professional managers about post-graduation career opportunities during Finance Career Night on Wednesday, Oct. 26.